Christianity in Beowulf
Christian vs. Pagan Approaches in Beowulf
Beowulf was written by a Christian poet around the eighth century. Having been changed a number of times, this manuscript has been observed in the older pagan period, and influence by pagan rituals. There are two different cultures reflected towards Beowulf which, are the Christianity culture and the pagan culture. Paganism and Christianity are both equally portrayed and expressed in Beowulf. It cconsists of heroes that are called Anglo-Saxons, who prided themselves on upholding their values of advancement, glory and revenge. Christian essentials are brought into Beowulf and could be taken to another perspective because the poet is Christian. Although Christianity has an effect on Beowulf, it is known still to be pagan as well. The purpose of this paper is to show the significance of Beowulf to understands both the Christian and pagan humanity.
Beowulf’s action and characterizations in the pagan view has become a major role in the Christian view as well. Near the second partial of Beowulf, it does not discuss much about the Christianity of the hero (Moorman, 17). The pagans attempted to deny death as a part of life, but they believed it is getting revenge to cause more deaths, for example instead of Grendel’s mother mourning the loss of her son she pursues revenge. The author has placed Grendel in a Biblical lineage of evil reaching because of the first murder (Hamilton 309). The Christian poet decides not to reject the pagan customs. “The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble had to thrust his soul into the fire’s embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father’s embrace” (Beowulf, 180-88).
According to this quote, the poet felt that God was not a source of help for the pagan ancestors in any
Beowulf was written by a Christian poet around the eighth century. Having been changed a number of times, this manuscript has been observed in the older pagan period, and influence by pagan rituals. There are two different cultures reflected towards Beowulf which, are the Christianity culture and the pagan culture. Paganism and Christianity are both equally portrayed and expressed in Beowulf. It cconsists of heroes that are called Anglo-Saxons, who prided themselves on upholding their values of advancement, glory and revenge. Christian essentials are brought into Beowulf and could be taken to another perspective because the poet is Christian. Although Christianity has an effect on Beowulf, it is known still to be pagan as well. The purpose of this paper is to show the significance of Beowulf to understands both the Christian and pagan humanity.
Beowulf’s action and characterizations in the pagan view has become a major role in the Christian view as well. Near the second partial of Beowulf, it does not discuss much about the Christianity of the hero (Moorman, 17). The pagans attempted to deny death as a part of life, but they believed it is getting revenge to cause more deaths, for example instead of Grendel’s mother mourning the loss of her son she pursues revenge. The author has placed Grendel in a Biblical lineage of evil reaching because of the first murder (Hamilton 309). The Christian poet decides not to reject the pagan customs. “The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble had to thrust his soul into the fire’s embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father’s embrace” (Beowulf, 180-88).
According to this quote, the poet felt that God was not a source of help for the pagan ancestors in any
Cited: DuBois, Arthur E. “The Dragon in Beowulf.” MLA. 72.5 (1957): 819-22. Web. http://www.jstor.org/stable/460364. Garde, Judith. "Christian and Folkloric Tradition in Beowulf: Death and the Dragon Episode." Literature and Theology 11.4 (1997): 325-46. Web. Goldsmith, Margaret. "The Christian Perspective in Beowulf." Duke University Press. 14.1 (1962): 71-90. Web. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1768634. Greenblatt Stephen, and M. H. Abrams. "Beowulf." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 8th ed. Vol. A. New York, NY: W.W. Norton &, 2006. 29-100. Print. Hamilton, Marie. "The Religious Principle in Beowulf." MLA. 61.2 (1946): 309-30. Web. http://www.jstor.org/stable/459354. Helterman, Jeffrey. "Beowulf: The Archetype Enters History." Johns Hopkins University Press. 35.1 (1968): 1-20. Web. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2872333. Moorman, Charles. "The Essential Paganism of Beowulf." Modern Language Quarterly 28.1 (1967): 3. Academic Search Complete. Web. Stevick, Robert D. "Christian Elements and the Genesis of "Beowulf" Modern Philology 61.2 (1963): 79-89. Web. http://www.jstor.org/stable/435497. Whallon, William. “The Christianity of “Beowulf.” Modern Philology. 60.2 (1962): 81-94. Web.. http://www.jstor.org/stable/434846.